Coal news and updates

Coal India plans to boost stock at thermal power plants by March

Coal India plans to boost stock at thermal power plants  to over 45 million tonnes (mt) from 20mt by March.

The decision follows the coal stock crisis at thermal power plants in September that prompted the Centre to intervene by forming an inter-ministerial committee comprising the coal, power and environment secretaries and the chairman of the Railway Board to review the situation and take corrective action and ensure adequate supply to power plants.

Union power minister R.K. Singh informed the Lok Sabha earlier this month that revised stocking norms have been mandated by the Central Electricity Authority whereby pit-head stations have to maintain a stock of 17 days and non-pit head stations a stock of 26 days from February to June every year.

Coal India on Thursday said the stock enhancement to 45 mt at thermal power plants by the end of the fiscal is based on a projection where the average coal fired power generation of previous five years — from December to March — was considered and increased by 7 per cent.